William Ackerman, A No-Nonsense Man

Enfield Native, 51, Remembered As Tough, Yet Sensitive

CAPTIONS

Ross Hollander And Steve HollanderRoss Hollander, left, President of Hartford Distributors and Steve Hollander, right, vice president of the company who was grazed by a bullet, enter the St. Francis of Assisi Church in South Windsor, Conn. on August 9, 2010 to pay respects to former employee William C. Ackerman. Hollander's wound is covered by a band aid. Ackerman is survived by his three children Daniel Laurin, Nicholas and Melissa Sullivan and four brothers, John, Craig, David and Timothy Ackerman; a sister, Susan Ackerman; and a nephew, Christopher Ackerman. Ackerman was killed during the Hartford Distributors shooting. (Brooke LaValley, Hartford Courant /August 9, 2010)

Friends say that Ackerman was one of nine people to die in a shooting at Hartford Distributors on Tuesday. They said he worked in the company's breakage department, repackaging cases of beer when bottles broke.

He thought there was more job security in the warehouse, said Doug Norwood, a Manchester resident and a driver for Hartford Distributors.

Norwood said he has been friends with Ackerman for years. At one point, Ackerman was even his tenant, he said.

Ackerman lived in his home on School Street for 12 years, but about two years ago, he moved to South Windsor, Norwood said.

Norwood said Ackerman was in a committed relationship with a woman who had three children. Ackerman never had children of his own, Norwood said.

Ackerman grew up in Enfield and still had many friends from that area, Norwood continued. He was a former catcher for Enfield High School's baseball team, and he used to play hockey, Norwood said, adding that Ackerman was also a fan of UConn's sports teams.

"He didn't take crap from anyone," said Scott Marek, owner of Marek Jewelers in Enfield and a friend of Ackerman's.

Ackerman also had a soft, fun side at times, said Kevin Kehoe, a friend of Ackerman's from Manchester. Kehoe said he remembered drinking Grand Marnier with Ackerman by the fire during the first snowfall of every year.